“It is a kind thought,” said Mme. Lechertier, and she watched with interest while the pretty Norwegian girl hastened to the piano, and with a few hurried words relieved the pianist, who beat a hasty retreat into the cooler air of the hall. She played extremely well, and being herself a born dancer, entered into the spirit of the waltz in a way which her predecessor had wholly failed to do. Mme. Lechertier was delighted, and when by and by Sigrid was released she rejoined her, and refused to be borne off to the supper-room by Mr. Horner. “No, no,” she said; “let the little people be attended to first. Miss Falck and I mean to have a quiet talk here.” So Sigrid told her something of her life at Bergen, and of the national love of music and dancing, and thoroughly interested her. “And when do you return?” asked Mme. Lechertier. “That depends on whether I can find work in England,” replied Sigrid. “What I wish is to stay in London with my brother. He has been very ill, and I do not think he ought to live alone.” “What sort of work do you wish for?” asked Madame Lechertier. “I would do anything,” said Sigrid. “But the worst of it is everything is so crowded already, and I have no very special talent.” “My dear,” said Madame Lechertier, “it seems to me you have a very decided talent. You play dance music better than any one I ever heard, and that is saying a good deal. Why do you not turn this to account?” “Do you think I could?” asked Sigrid, her eyes lighting up eagerly. “Do you really think I could earn my living by it?” “I feel sure of it,” said Madame Lechertier. “And if you seriously think the idea is good I will come and discuss the matter with you. I hear you are a friend of my old pupil, Miss Boniface.” “Yes, we are staying now at Rowan Tree House; they have been so good to us.” “They are delightful people—the father is one of nature’s true gentlemen. I shall come and see you, then, and talk this over. To-morrow morning, if that will suit you.” Sigrid went home in high spirits, and the next day, when as usual she and Frithiof were alone in the morning-room after breakfast, she told him of Madame Lechertier’s proposal, and while they were still discussing the matter the good lady was announced. Now, like many people, Madame Lechertier was benevolent by impulse. Had Sigrid been less attractive, she would not have gone out of her way to help her; but the Norwegian girl had somehow touched her heart. “It will be a case of ‘Colors seen by candlelight will not look the same by day,’” she had reflected as she walked to Rowan Tree House. “I shall find my pretty Norse girl quite commonplace and uninteresting, and my castle in the air will fall in ruins.” But when she was shown into the room where Sigrid sat at work, all her fears vanished. “The girl has bewitched me!” she thought to herself. “And the brother, what a fine-looking fellow! There is a history behind that face if I’m not mistaken.”